Winemakers Want More State Support
ROCHESTER, NY (2008-12-11) New York could be doing more to help its wine industry grow, according to a new report. The state's Wine Grape Task Force looked at the challenges facing growers and wineries, and found there's need for reform at the state Liquor Authority, and for better promotion of New York state wine. The report has been submitted to the state's agriculture commissioner.
John Martini is the president of Anthony Road Wine Company in Penn Yan, and was on the panel. He says the task force set out to address the complaints of winemakers and grape growers. The first gripe on that list was with the State Liquor Authority.
The report recommends that the state appoint an ombudsman to help winemakers deal with the agency. It also asks that the agency more consistently apply its rules related to licensing. Martini says some wineries have been able to sell their goods at off-site stores, while others haven't; the task force wants to see legislation put in place to clarify the rules.
The task force also recommended the Department of Agriculture coordinate with the "I Love New York" campaign to better promote New York wines, and increase their visibility among food writers and taste makers.
Martini says increasing advertising and hiring state workers to deal with the concerns of winemakers will be difficult changes to implement, with the governor promising that there will be big cuts in this year and next year's budget. He says he hopes that some of the steps, like promoting New York wine more thoroughly on "I Love New York's" website, can be taken without spending any money.
And he says despite the economic downturn, he's optimistic about the future of New York's wine industry. Martini says the recession hasn't caused consumers to buy less wine - they're just buying less expensive wine. That change in habit can benefit Finger Lakes vintages.
"Most of the wines that are produced in the Finger Lakes are $20 and under ... that said, we may have an issue with recognition. So this may help us. If a consumer's going down in the shelf, and a $30 bottle of California chardonnay starts to look excessive ... you've got a $13 bottle of Finger Lakes chardonnay."
The task force also looked at environmental issues. It's asking the Department of Environmental Conservation to reconsider how it classifies wineries in terms of waste water disposal. Right now they're treated as industrial operations, even though their waste is generally less toxic. The task force also asked for wider circulation of Cornell Cooperative Extension materials that teach grape growers how to implement environmentally sustainable soil management practices.
In 2007 the task force outlined the goal of doubling the economic impact of the wine and grape industry on the state, within five years. Currently the industry has a $6 billion economic impact on New York. Martini says the recession could slow progress toward that goal, but that the task force is optimistic. Realizing that goal will depend heavily on the industry's ability to conduct research into new grape varieties and practices, and Martini says New York is getting help with that from the federal farm bill and the National Grape and Wine Initiative.